Week 2 Preview

Each week, I’ll do my best to make a few predictions and follow-up on some of the interesting happenings around college football.

Game of the Week

Ohio State vs. Miami (ESPN, 2:40 p.m. CST)
OUTCOME: Ohio State gets the W in a close one.

SEC Match Ups

Georgia @ South Carolina (ESPN2, 11 a.m. CST)
OUTCOME: This is always a crazy match up in week 2. Since 2005, this series has been decided by more than 7 points only once (2006: UGA won 18-0). Last year was a shootout, which was weird because this is normally a low scoring affair. Georgia leads this series this decade 7-3 with Georgia winning the last six of seven games. I’m going with Georgia in this one. Tough call.

South Florida @ Florida (ESPN3, 11:21 a.m. CST)
OUTCOME: I think Florida’s struggles against the other “U” (Miami of Ohio) was a bit of a fluke. Florida is a talented team. It will take a game or two for the offense to establish some sort of rhythm. They may never establish that rhythm fully, but it’s one of the reasons they looked so out of it last Saturday. Florida can’t afford to make the same mistakes they made last week, because South Florida is a more quality opponent and will make them pay. Still, I expect the Gators to come away with a victory. I’m going bold and saying they cover their -15 spread.

LSU @ Vanderbilt (6 p.m. CST)
OUTCOME: Vanderbilt keeps it close, but LSU survives the Commodores mysterious ways and comes out with its second win.
LES MILES JOB SECURITY: Safe …. FOR NOW!

Penn State @ Alabama (ESPN, 6 p.m. CST)
OUTCOME: Classy match up here. The Penn State fans are a class act as well. I’ve run into several so far this week. I look for Alabama to stack up against the run and force Penn State’s Freshman QB Rob Bolden to beat them. If Penn State is in a lot of third and longs early, then it could get ugly quick. This game will be close going into the fourth quarter, but Alabama comes away with a victory in a not so dramatic fashion.

Oregon @ Tennessee (ESPN2, 6 p.m. CST)
OUTCOME: Tennessee shocks Oregon and pulls off a big upset in Knoxville. No, I’m not just picking the SEC team to win here. I think Tennessee has a legitimate shot to pull off a big upset.

Western Kentucky @ Kentucky (6:30 p.m. CST)
OUTCOME: BATTLE FOR THE BOURBON!! I’m afraid the Hilltoppers will have to wait another week or three before they get their first win of the 2010 season and their short-lived FBS career. I’m rooting for the Hilltoppers.

Iowa State @ Iowa
OUTCOME: This is usually a pretty tight game for four quarters, with the exception of last season. I’m going with Iowa here, but I don’t think they will cover their -13.5 spread.

Michigan @ Notre Dame (NBC, 2:30 p.m. CST)
OUTCOME: Exciting match up. Is this the year that Rich Rod’s team finally gels? I know one thing: Denard Robinson cannot keep carrying the ball 29 times per game. I think Notre Dame edges out the win in South Bend under new coach Brian Kelly. The Irish are playing better defense already, but this will be a nice test to see just how much that defense has improved.